After losing out on Nnamdi Asomugha, the New York Jets turned to their backup plan: the guy they were trying to replace.
The Jets announced Monday afternoon that they had re-signed Antonio Cromartie, who was solid last season opposite two-time All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis, finishing with 42 tackles and three interceptions.
Terms of the deal weren't disclosed, but the *New York Daily News* reported it was for four years and $32 million.
Cromartie recently said he wouldn't give the Jets "a hometown discount" despite wanting to be back with the team, but he took less than Asomugha received from the Philadelphia Eagles and what Johnathan Joseph took from the Houston Texans.
"They say Cro is back, Cro is back all GangGreen fans say is Cro...lol," Cromartie wrote on his Twitter page. "I'm on my FLT headed home glad 2 b a JET...let's go win a Superbowl."
The move capped a huge day for the Jets, who signed wide receiver Plaxico Burress to a one-year deal earlier Sunday.
After signing wide receiver Santonio Holmes, their top priority, the Jets went after Asomugha and were one of the favorites to land the most-coveted player in free agency. But Asomugha surprisingly signed with the Eagles, leaving the Jets to turn to a familiar face.
Apparently, Cromartie had no hard feelings. And, if there were, it was nothing a long-term deal couldn't fix.
Getting Cromartie back is a nice fallback for the Jets, who would have been scrambling to find a replacement. They drafted Kyle Wilson in the first round in 2010, but he might not be ready to be a starter after struggling mightily early last season.
Cromartie, who also drew interest from the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers, had some impressive moments at times for the Jets and seamlessly filled in for an injured Revis early last season as the team's top cornerback. Cromartie even showed he could be a solid kickoff returner, setting up the winning touchdown in the playoffs against the Indianapolis Colts with a 47-yard return.
The Jets could use Cromartie in that role again this season after losing versatile Brad Smith, the team's primary kick returner a year ago, to the Buffalo Bills.
The Jets acquired the talented but troubled Cromartie from the San Diego Chargers for a conditional third-round draft pick in 2011 -- which became a second-rounder based on his production. He was considered one of the rising talents in the league in 2007, when he was an All-Pro in his second season after recording an NFL-leading 10 interceptions, but struggled on and off the field. Cromartie's tackling was an issue in San Diego, but he vowed to get better when he came to New York and clearly did, although he led the defense in penalties.
Cromartie also was dealing with paternity issues at the time of the deal, with seven children by several women, but the Jets advanced him $500,000 to help clear that up. He has since married reality TV star and model Terricka Cason, and he often tweets about the joys of family life and his faith.
The Jets reported for training camp at their facility in Florham Park, N.J., on Sunday, with their first practice scheduled for Monday afternoon.
"Ok guys taking off c u guys at Florham Park," Cromartie tweeted early Monday. "God Bless u all...Jet sailing 2 be a JET...goodnight 2 some and good morning to others I'm out."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
